Netanyahu and Eisenkot claim victory as Israeli election results stall

Benjamin Netanyahu and Gadi Eisenkot both declared their readiness to form a government after early results from Israel’s parliamentary election failed to produce a clear winner. Netanyahu’s Likud party emerged as the largest single faction, outperforming most pre-vote forecasts. Eisenkot, the former army chief, claimed his Yashar party captured the public’s desire for a shift in leadership.

The race hinges on the 61-seat majority threshold in the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu’s existing coalition of ultra-nationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties appears to be just short of that number. Analysts caution that the current count is skewed toward right-wing strongholds. Turnout exceeded 77%, a high figure that complicates final projections as late-breaking data arrives.

Eisenkot faces a steeper climb. Assembling a majority without the support of parties led by Israel’s Arab minority remains a significant hurdle. Partial results indicate those Arab parties matched or surpassed their previous seat counts. Arab Israelis, who constitute one-fifth of the population, voted in high numbers. Many viewed the election as a critical opportunity to end what they describe as the country’s most right-wing government, a coalition they accuse of fueling racial tensions.

A large share of absentee ballots, cast primarily by soldiers, remains uncounted. A definitive tally is not expected for another day or two. This delay keeps both leaders in a state of uncertainty while they address their respective bases overnight.

Netanyahu stated that his right-wing bloc holds a decisive majority among the Zionist public, though he avoided declaring an outright win. Eisenkot told supporters that the electorate chose change. He pledged to build a stable Zionist government swiftly. The election served as a referendum on Netanyahu, who stands trial on corruption charges he denies, and on the nation’s religious and nationalist direction over the past four years.

Coalition talks have already begun. Journalist Yaakov Katz noted that both sides will seek defectors or consider minority governments, a process that could take weeks or months. The central question is whether the opposition will break with tradition and partner with Arab parties. Most Jewish opposition leaders pledged not to work with them, including bloc leader Avigdor Lieberman. Mansour Abbas, head of the Ra’am list, said he expects to join the next government. He dismissed pre-election promises, noting that politicians often speak differently once in office.

President Isaac Herzog will receive the final results next week. He will consult with party leaders and task the candidate most likely to succeed with forming a coalition. That candidate has six weeks to complete the process. If no government is formed, a new election will be scheduled. Netanyahu’s current team remains in a caretaker role, limiting its ability to enact major policy changes until a new cabinet is sworn in.